The Marine Corps Recruiting Ribbon was authorized by order of the Secretary of the Navy on June 7, 1995 with retroactive presentations to January 1, 1973. The Marine Corps Recruiting Ribbon is awarded to Marine Corps officers and enlisted personnel who complete a standard 36 month tour in a United States Marine Corps Recruiting Command.

For enlisted personnel, a military occupational specialty (MOS) of 8411 must be held for the Marine Corps Recruiting Ribbon to be bestowed. Officers must hold a billet as the Commanding Officer, Executive Officer, or Operations Officer of a Marine Corps Recruiting Command. Local command recruiters and recruiting aides are not eligible for the decoration.